MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Former Anoka County Assistant Attorney Charged With 26 Felonies in Alleged Commercial Sex Operation

Andrea Leigh Sampson is accused of providing properties and creating business entities that investigators say helped facilitate transactions and conceal proceeds

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 15, 2026) A former assistant Anoka County attorney has been arrested and charged with 26 felonies for her alleged role in a commercial sex operation that Minnesota authorities say involved at least 13 victims and operated across several Twin Cities communities.

Andrea Leigh Sampson, 35, of Fridley, was charged Friday in Hennepin County District Court with 13 counts of promoting prostitution of an individual and 13 counts of receiving profits from prostitution.

Each pair of charges is associated with one of 13 women identified as victims in the criminal complaint.

Sampson was booked into the Hennepin County Jail on August 14. Jail records listed her as being held on $1 million bail ahead of a first court appearance scheduled for Monday, August 17.

The charges are allegations. Sampson and the other defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

FIVE-YEAR INVESTIGATION

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force began investigating the alleged operation in 2021, according to the criminal complaint and reporting based on the court records.

Investigators allege that the organization recruited women and advertised commercial sexual services through a website called Minnesota Erotica Personals.

Customers allegedly arranged transactions at apartments and other properties in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park and surrounding communities.

Court documents identify four people accused of participating in the operation: Sampson; Frank D. Reeves, 57; Viktoriya Komonash, 30; and Katherine Thomes, 36.

Reeves is also reported to face 26 felony counts. Komonash was booked into the Hennepin County Jail on Friday, while Thomes was not listed in custody when the initial charges were reported.

The individual cases and charging statuses may proceed separately.

SAMPSON ACCUSED OF PROVIDING PROPERTIES

Prosecutors allege that Sampson secured and provided properties where commercial sex transactions occurred.

The complaint identifies two Minneapolis properties associated with Sampson, one in the 3000 block of Harriet Avenue and another in the 2300 block of University Avenue Northeast.

Investigators allege that some of the women were photographed at those properties for online advertisements and that commercial sex transactions also occurred there.

Sampson is further accused of creating and maintaining several limited-liability companies that investigators believe were used as shell businesses to receive, move or conceal proceeds from the operation.

Payments were frequently made in cash and later deposited into accounts connected with the business entities, according to the allegations.

VICTIMS REPORTED REQUIRED PAYMENTS

Investigators interviewed multiple women who reportedly had contact with the organization and its Minnesota Erotica Personals website.

Thirteen were identified as victims in the criminal complaint.

Some told investigators they were required to pay the organization at least $100 for every customer transaction. Additional fees were allegedly collected for advertisements posted online.

One woman reportedly told investigators that she entered the operation at age 19 in 2022. Another was 18 when she became involved in 2025.

The complaint also contains allegations of intimidation, substance use and sexual violence.

Several women reportedly told investigators that a man carrying a gun sometimes appeared when management was displeased and was used to keep them “in line.” Others alleged that alcohol and cocaine were provided.

Multiple victims accused Reeves of sexual assault, according to the complaint. Some alleged that other people affiliated with the organization witnessed the assaults or prevented women from leaving rooms where the assaults occurred.

Those allegations have not been adjudicated in court.

OTHER BUSINESSES EXAMINED

Investigators also examined assisted-living and autism-service operations reportedly connected with Reeves, Sampson and Komonash.

The complaint alleges that the defendants collected revenue through those businesses in addition to money associated with the commercial sex operation.

The existence of those businesses does not independently establish criminal conduct. Their finances and relationship to the defendants are part of the allegations described in the court records.

Phone evidence cited by investigators reportedly indicated that Sampson, Komonash and Thomes each believed she was involved in an exclusive romantic relationship with Reeves.

Prosecutors may use those communications to explain the relationships among the defendants, but the evidence will remain subject to examination and challenge during the court proceedings.

ANOKA COUNTY EMPLOYMENT ENDED IN MARCH

Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson confirmed that Sampson previously served as an assistant county attorney assigned to the office’s Family Law and Civil Divisions.

The BCA informed senior leaders in the Anoka County Attorney’s Office on February 25 that Sampson was under criminal investigation.

The county immediately placed her on administrative leave. Her employment ended March 9.

“The Anoka County Attorney’s Office appreciates the hard work and professionalism of the BCA investigators who brought the Office’s top leadership into this investigation,” the office said in a statement reported Friday.

There is no allegation in the filed complaint that Sampson used her assistant county attorney position to prosecute the identified victims or interfere with the investigation. Her former public position is nevertheless significant because county attorneys are entrusted with enforcing Minnesota law and representing the public in legal proceedings.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Sampson’s first court appearance is scheduled for Monday in Hennepin County District Court.

The court is expected to address conditions of release, legal representation and future hearing dates. Prosecutors will ultimately have the burden of proving every element of the filed charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation has involved the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force and other law-enforcement partners.

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